Tension Gauge Device

ABSTRACT

A tension measuring device for a holding mechanism such as a ratchet or tie down strap. In one embodiment, a tension measuring device comprises a two-part frame, comprising a movable frame part and a stationary frame part. The movable frame part comprises a first connection portion, one or more biasing element rods, a biasing element lock plate with indicator needle, and one or more rod bolt caps. The stationary frame part comprises a second connection portion, a biasing element chamber, and one or more biasing element rod apertures. Further, the tension measuring device comprises one or more biasing elements and a housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/253,637 filed on Oct. 8,2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tension gauge device. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a tension gauge devicethat may be outfitted or manufactured onto a strap, chain, and/or rachetand is capable of measuring and/or monitoring the tension forces beingapplied to said strap, chain and/or ratchet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Straps and/or chains may often be utilized in various holding mechanismssuch as, without limitation, ratchet straps, tie down straps or chains,and holding straps or chains. These holding mechanisms may be fastenersused to hold down equipment or cargo on or in a vehicle such as a truck,trailer, shipping container, or the like, during transportation.Further, these holding mechanisms may be fasteners used to hold or carryequipment or cargo in need of transfer or movement. Typically, thesestraps and/or chains may be outfitted with various mechanisms such ashooks and/or ratchets to facilitate a tight and secure hold of theequipment or cargo. For instance, the ratchets may govern the amount oftension or pulling force applied to straps during operation. However,currently there is no means by which to measure and/or monitor tensionforce in these straps and/or chains, and this could potentially lead tothe inadequate securement of equipment or cargo. For instance, thetension force applied to the straps and/or chains may be too weak aboutthe equipment or cargo and result in movement, shifting, or dropping ofthe equipment or cargo during transportation. Alternatively, the tensionforce applied to the straps may be too strong about the equipment orcargo and result in damage to the equipment or cargo, or even thestraps, chains and/or ratchets themselves.

Consequently, there is a need for a tension gauge device that may beoutfitted or manufactured onto a strap, chain and/or ratchet that iscapable of measuring and/or monitoring the tension forces being appliedto said strap, chain, and/or ratchet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by atension measuring device coupled to a holding mechanism, wherein thetension measuring device comprises a two-part frame, comprising amovable frame part and a stationary frame part. The movable frame partcomprises a first connection portion, one or more biasing element rods,a biasing element lock plate with indicator needle, and one or more rodbolt caps. The stationary frame part comprises a second connectionportion, a biasing element chamber, and one or more biasing element rodapertures. Further, the tension measuring device comprises one or morebiasing elements and a housing.

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by atension measuring device coupled to a holding mechanism, wherein thetension measuring device comprises a load cell coupled to a firstconnection portion and a second connection portion at opposing ends,wherein the load cell comprises a transmission wire. Further, thetension measuring device comprises a digital display, a battery, and ahousing, wherein the transmission wire is connected from the load cellto the digital display, and wherein the battery powers the load cell andthe digital display.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as abasis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized bythose skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a tension gauge device according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a tension gauge device accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a tension gauge deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, the device in aresting position;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a tension gauge deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, the device in atension-applied position;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a perspective, front, and side view,respectively, of a tension gauge device according to an alternateembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a perspective, front, and side view,respectively, of a digital tension gauge device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a tension gauge device 2 that may beoutfitted or manufactured onto a holding mechanism such as, withoutlimitation, a ratchet, ratchet strap, tie down strap or chain, orholding strap or chain. In embodiments, the holding mechanism maycomprise straps 4, which may include, without limitation, nylon straps,polyester straps, metal chains, or the like. In embodiments, tensiongauge device 2 may comprise a two-part frame 6 and 8, fasteners 12, anda housing 10. Two-part frame 6 and 8 may comprise a movable frame part 6and a stationary frame part 8, each frame part comprising a connectionportion 14. In embodiments, connection portions 14 may comprise aplurality of extensions 16 through which an aperture 18 (illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4A-4C), either threaded or unthreaded, may be disposed.Apertures 18 in conjunction with fasteners 12 and straps 4 may provide ameans by which to attach tension gauge device 2 to the holdingmechanism. In embodiments, fasteners 12 may comprise nuts and bolts suchthat a fastener bolt may travel through a first aperture 18, a loopformed by strap 4, and a second aperture 18, and be received by afastener nut at each connection portion 14, thus securely fasteningtension gauge device 2 to straps 4. In alternative embodiments,fasteners 12 may be rivets, screws, and/or other suitable fasteners, andone or both connection portions 14 may be attached to hook mechanismsrather than straps 4 (not illustrated). In embodiments, two-part frame 6and 8 of tension gauge device 2, and more particularly stationary framepart 8 of two-part frame 6 and 8, may be at least partially covered byhousing 10. Housing 10 may comprise a front portion and a back portioncoupled together by any suitable means. In embodiments, the frontportion of housing 10 may comprise an analog display unit 20 fordisplaying the tension forces being applied to tension gauge device 2,particularly when outfitted onto a ratchet or tie down strap.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of tension gauge device 2 which, aspreviously disclosed, comprises two-part frame 6 and 8 (i.e., movableframe part 6 and stationary frame part 8), fasteners 12, and housing 10.As further illustrated in FIG. 2 , movable frame part 6 of two-partframe 6 and 8 may comprise one or more biasing element rods 22 extendingfrom connection portion 14. Further, stationary frame part 8 of two-partframe 6 and 8 may comprise a biasing element chamber 26 and one or morebiasing element rod apertures 28. In embodiments, one or more biasingelement rods 22, biasing element chamber 26, and one or more biasingelement rod apertures 28 provide a means by which to mate movable framepart 6 with stationary frame part 8. For example, one or more biasingelement rods 22 may pass through one or more biasing element rodapertures 28 and be fully received and/or enclosed by biasing elementchamber 26. Within biasing element chamber 26, each of the one or morebiasing element rods 22 may comprise a biasing element 24 disposed aboutits outer surface. In embodiments, one or more biasing elements 24 maybe, without limitation, any suitable springs, compression springs, discwasher springs, Belleville washers, or the like. In embodimentscomprising disc washer springs or Belleville washers (illustrated inFIG. 4A), such washers may be held in place between an inner surface ofstationary frame part 8 and a biasing element lock plate 30. Biasingelement lock plate 30 may be a singular panel sized and shaped to fitwithin biasing element chamber 26, and further fixed to the end or endsof one or more biasing element rods 22 via rod bolt caps 23 (illustratedin FIG. 4A). In embodiment, one or more biasing elements 24 may beconfigurable so as to provide a desired rating for tension gauge device2.

By nature of the one or more biasing elements 24 acting on two-partframe 6 and 8, tension gauge device 2 may assume a resting position inwhich no axial displacement of movable frame part 6 occurs. In thisresting position, tension forces may not be applied to straps 4 and oneor more biasing elements 24 may be allowed to fully decompress, thusresulting in movable frame part 6 being fully mated with stationaryframe part 8. This resting position of tension gauge device 2 may beillustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 3A. However during operation, asillustrated in FIG. 3B, movable frame part 6 may be capable of axialdisplacement relative to stationary frame part 8. In embodiments, axialdisplacement may occur when applying tension forces to straps 4, eitherby a ratchet mechanism disposed on the ratchet or tie down strap or byanother suitable means. When applying said tension forces to the ratchetor tie down strap (i.e., straps 4), movable frame part 6 may be axiallydisplaced in a direction opposite stationary frame part 8, which maycompress one or more biasing elements 24 relative to the amount oftension forces being applied to tension gauge device 2. As such, theapplied tension force may be measured and/or monitored by an operator.In an alternative embodiment, one or more biasing element rods 22 may betelescoping rods that collapse when tension forces may be applied tostraps 4. In such an embodiment, axial displacement may only occur inthe telescoping rods and biasing element lock plate 30 within biasingelement chamber 26 such that one or more biasing elements 24 may becompressed relative to the amount of tension forces applied. Therefore,once again, the applied tension force may be measured and/or monitoredby an operator. In some embodiments, particularly when tension gaugedevice 2 utilizes an analog display unit 20, biasing element lock plate30 may comprise an indicator needle 32 (illustrated in FIG. 2 ) thatmoves in relation to the axial displacement of movable frame part 6. Inembodiments, indicator needle 32 may be incorporated into the analogdisplay unit 20 to allow an operator to visualize the amount of tensionforce being applied to the ratchet or tie down strap. In such anembodiment, the analog display unit 20 may further comprise agraphically printed Lexan dial with unit markings to which indicatorneedle 32 may point to. The unit markings on the graphically printedLexan dial may be appropriately scaled, whereby indicator needle 32 maypoint to the unit markings corresponding to the applied tension forces.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an alternate embodiment of tension gauge device 2from a perspective, front, and side view respectively. Similarly to theaforementioned embodiment of tension gauge 2, this embodiment of tensiongauge device 2 may be outfitted or manufactured onto a holding mechanismsuch as, without limitation, a ratchet, ratchet strap, tie down strap orchain, or holding strap or chain. In particular, this embodiment oftension gauge 2 may be configured to connect directly to a ratchet of aratchet strap via a connection portion 15. Similar to the aforementionedembodiment, this embodiment of tension gauge device 2 may comprise atwo-part frame 6 and 8 and a housing 10. Two-part frame 6 and 8 maycomprise a movable frame part 6 and a stationary frame part 8, whereinthe movable frame part 6 comprises connection portion 15 and stationaryframe part 8 comprising connection portion 14. In such embodiments,connection portion 14 may comprise a plurality of extensions 16 throughwhich an aperture 18, either threaded or unthreaded, may be disposed,whereas connection portion 15 may comprise a single uniform extensionthrough which a singular aperture 18, threaded or unthreaded, may bedisposed. Apertures 18 may provide a means by which to attach thisembodiment of tension gauge device 2 to a ratchet mechanism and or strapof a ratchet strap via nuts, bolts, screws, dowels, and/or rivets. Insuch embodiments, two-part frame 6 and 8 of tension gauge device 2, andmore particularly stationary frame part 8 of two-part frame 6 and 8, maybe at least partially covered by housing 10. Housing 10 may comprise afront portion and a back portion coupled together by any suitable means.Similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, the front portion of housing10 may comprise an analog display unit 20 for displaying the tensionforces being applied to tension gauge device 2. However, indicatorneedle 32 in this alternate embodiment may extend from biasing elementlock plate 30, between one or more biasing elements 20, and out througha notch in housing 10.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a tension gauge device 3 that may also beconnected to a holding mechanism and provide the tension force beingapplied to that holding mechanism, similarly to tension gauge device 2.However, tension gauge device 3 may obtain and display such tensionforce differently. In such embodiments, tension gauge device 3 maycomprise, a load cell 34, connection portions 36 and 38, andtransmission wire 40. Load cell 34 may be any suitable load cell typesuch as, without limitation, S-type, single column, multiple column,donut, or cannister. Further, load cell 34 may be coupled to connectionpotions 36 and 38 at opposing ends via threaded bolts or screws 42.Similar to connection portion 16 of the alternate embodiment of tensiongauge 2, connection portion 38 may comprise a plurality of extensions 44through which an aperture 46, either threaded or unthreaded, may bedisposed, whereas connection portion 36, similar to connection portion15, may comprise a single uniform extension through which a singularaperture 46, threaded or unthreaded, may be disposed. Apertures 46 mayprovide a means by which to attach this embodiment of tension gaugedevice 3 to a ratchet mechanism 48 and/or strap of a ratchet strap vianuts, bolts, screws, dowels, and/or rivets. Although not illustrated,load cell 34, may be partially or fully covered by a housing comprisinga front portion and a back portion coupled together by any suitablemeans.

In operation, load cell 34 may be configured to measure the tensionforce applied at its ends which may be coupled to connection portions 36and 38. Such a tension measurement may be transmitted throughtransmission wire 40 and output to a digital display (not illustrated)to which wire 40 may be connected. The digital display, though notillustrated, may be disposed on an external surface of the housing oftension gauge 3 through any suitable means of adherence. Furthermore,both load cell 34 and the digital display may be power by a batterydisposed at any suitable location within or on tension gauge 3.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tension measuring device coupled to a holdingmechanism, wherein the tension measuring device comprises: a two-partframe comprising: a movable frame part comprising: a first connectionportion; one or more biasing element rods; a biasing element lock platewith an indicator needle; and one or more rod bolt caps; a stationaryframe part comprising: a second connection portion; a biasing elementchamber; and one or more biasing element rod apertures; one or morebiasing elements; and a housing.
 2. The tension measuring device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more biasing element rods slidably mateswith the stationary frame part through the one or more biasing elementrod apertures and held within the biasing element chamber via the one ormore biasing elements, the biasing element lock plate, and the one ormore rod bolt caps.
 3. The tension measuring device of claim 2, whereinthe two-part frame is capable of axial displacement when a tension forceis applied to the first and second connection portions.
 4. The tensionmeasuring device of claim 3, wherein the tension force is measuredrelative to the axial movement via the indicator needle and an analogdisplay disposed on a surface of the housing.
 5. The tension measuringdevice of claim 1, wherein the one or more biasing elements areconfigured to provide any desired tension rating.
 6. The tensionmeasuring device of claim 1, wherein the one or more biasing elementsare compression springs.
 7. The tension measuring device of claim 1,wherein the one or more biasing elements are a series of Bellevillewashers.
 8. The tension measuring device of claim 1, wherein the firstconnection portion is connected to a ratchet or a ratchet strap via afastening mechanism.
 9. The tension measuring device of claim 1, whereinthe second connection portion is connected to a ratchet or a ratchetstrap via a fastening mechanism.
 10. The tension measuring device ofclaim 1, wherein the housing encloses the biasing element chamber.
 11. Atension measuring device coupled to a holding mechanism, wherein thetension measuring device comprises: a load cell coupled to a firstconnection portion and a second connection portion at opposing ends,wherein the load cell comprises a transmission wire; a digital display,wherein the transmission wire is connected from the load cell to thedigital display; a battery, wherein the battery powers the load cell andthe digital display; and a housing.
 12. The tension measuring device ofclaim 11, wherein the first connection portion is connected to a ratchetvia a fastening mechanism.
 13. The tension measuring device of claim 11,wherein the second connection portion is connected to a ratchet strapvia a fastening mechanism.
 14. The tension measuring device of claim 11,wherein the first and second connection portions are coupled to the loadcell via fastening mechanism.
 15. The tension measuring device of claim11, wherein the load cell is configured to measure tension force whensuch a force is applied to the first and second connection portions. 16.The tension measuring device of claim 15, wherein the measured tensionforce is transmitted to the digital display via the transmission wire.17. The tension measuring device of claim 11, wherein the load cell isan S-type load cell.
 18. The tension measuring device of claim 11,wherein the housing encloses the load cell.
 19. The tension measuringdevice of claim 11, wherein the housing encloses the battery.
 20. Thetension measuring device of claim 11, wherein the digital display isdisposed on an external surface of the housing.